Chapter 216

“Hey! This is Jon...”

“Jooooooooonnn!! Now is NOT the time to ignore my calls bro’!!!” He hit the red button harshly, hitting redial directly after that.

He reached the voicemail again.

“Fuuuuuuuucck!”

“What’s wrong Rich?”

“He doesn’t answer his fucking phone and now its off! WHAT NOW?!”

Panic scraped at his throat.

“Call Dorothea . She might answer.”

“Good thinking!” He frowned after a while.

“Ok so now NO ONE is available today! This is not good.”

Megan patted his back.

“Calm down big guy. Jon will be back soon enough. Babies don’t just pop out you know.”

“I hope to God this one doesn’t! I’m not ready for this. Shit!”  The thought of him helping Megan give birth made him punch the keypad of the phone somewhat violently.

Megan laughed. Richie was hopeless, poor man!

“Why don’t you put your phone away before you break it, huh? I think I heard Sarah outside. Would you be a sweetheart and help her with all the stuff?”

Richie had a blank look for a minute.

“Sar..OOOHHH...Ooh yeah the midthingy.....”

“Midwife....yeah...ok go! The door is that way.” She steered him.

Richie turned, walked a few strides and then came back to her. His puppy eyes begging...hoping.

“You sure you’re in labour? Maybe its just gas or something.”

Gentle hands framed his face.

“Trust me..its not gas...its a baby worming her way down...”

He suddenly came to life..he didn’t want to..NEED to hear it.

“OOOOK!!!!! I’m going!” He shot out the door.

This was going to get interesting having him around. He was all she had right now, he had to do! Please God..let Jon come home soon, if not for me, for the poor anxious bastard that resembles a bushbaby caught in a spotlight.

Richie came back empty handed.

“You’re hearing things...nobody’s here.”

Megan’s phone rang.

“Hi...uhuh....well about 15 minutes....uhuh...ok no take your time. No..I’m not alone..Richie is with me....yeah Richie..” Megan’s soft chuckle brought his head up.

“Ok..see you then.”

“Ok now please tell me that wasn’t Sarah.” Was he actually close to tears?

“Yep the one and only. She wont be able to come just now. She has another labour and it seems that she will be delivering her baby before me. So its just you and me ...”

Richie gaped at her, throwing his hands in the air he exclaimed vehemently.

“WHAT THE FUCK NOW!!”

“You are going to suck your gut in, get hold of yourself and take me for a stroll down by the river.”

Was labour screwing with her mind now?!

“A walk?! Honey between me and you..your are in labour for God’s sake!”

“I know...I’m having the contractions remember?!” She sucked in some breath as a contraction made itself known.

Richie wasn’t the praying kind, but grabbing the cross hanging down his neck, he prayed really hard.

Keeping his hand on the small of her back, he sheltered the precious package. Her movement was slow and her breathing coordinated.

“You ok?” He seemed to be saying that every few seconds.

“I’m very proud of you , you know, helping me through this. I know you’re scared shitless, but I know you can do this with me. I need you to do this with me.”

Placing both his enormous hands on her stomach, she smiled up at him.

“She needs you too. I just want you to be prepared if I get irritable and feisty. Whatever I’m going to say, don’t take it to heart, ok? Its a female thing. When Sarah comes and you feel you cant take it, I’ll understand if you go. But promise me to stay put until she comes?”

Something inside him stirred to life. Instinct pulled his insides back into place and he met her pain filled  eyes.

“Sweetheart not even Lucifer himself will be able to force me from your side. I’m here to see this through until my brother can take over, if not..we’re gonna welcome this little missy into the world together. Now...lets take that walk, shall we?” His grip was strong and steady.